No peanut oil? No Problem! If you are making a recipe that calls for using peanut oil you can still make it with one of these alternatives.
In this guide we will cover the best peanut oil replacements no matter what you are making. Peanut oil is used to make cookies, creamy sauces, and stir-fries.
It is used for Chinese cooking, Thai cooking, and Vietnamese cooking. If you are vegetarian or vegan you can use these subs to make your dish. If you want to understand how these oils work in recipes check out our notes below on types of oils.
So what are the best substitutes for peanut oil?
The most popular peanut oil substitutes are sesame oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil.
If you are using your peanut oil replacement for frying the best option is sesame oil. It offers very similar cooking characteristics and will offer the best frying results.
Peanut Oil Substitutes
Depending on what you have on hand, any of these alternatives will suit your recipe needs. Read on for how to use each peanut oil replacement effectively.
Sesame Oil
If you are looking for a good peanut oil substitute, sesame oil is the best option. It is very similar in cooking characteristics and offers superior flavor and taste options.
Sesame oil can be used for stir-frying, in salad dressings, to cook vegetables, meats and poultry. This makes sesame oil the best substitute for peanut oil. You can also pair it with other oils as a cooking base to add extra flavor to your dish.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is the best alternative for cooking. It offers very similar characteristics as peanut oil and will work well in all of your recipes.
If you make a peanut sauce this oil would be a great substitution because it will have the similar taste that you are looking for. You can also make peanut sauces with it because of its neutral flavor profile. This makes grapeseed oil a great choice for your next recipe.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a good peanut oil substitute that offers a neutral taste. While it should not be used for frying though, but you can use it in salad dressings and recipes that call for absorption.
It is great as a marinade or sautéed with other ingredients. If you want to add extra flavor to your dish by using canola oil it will still be delicious.
Sunflower Oil
If you are looking for a multi-purpose peanut oil alternative, then sunflower oil is the best choice. It can be used for baking, sautéing, and frying and the taste does not change drastically.
It can also be used in salad dressings and recipes that call for absorption. It is a great alternative to peanut oil because it has a high smoke point.
What is peanut oil?
Peanut oil is made by pressing peanuts until the oil comes out. The oil is used for cooking Asian foods. It is also used to make peanut butter, so it has an extra layer of versatility. Peanut oil can be used in salad dressings, dips, and desserts.
Cooking With Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is used to cook everything from stir-fries, vegetables, meats, and poultry.
It is used in Thai cooking, Chinese food preparation, and Vietnamese cuisine. Peanut oil is a popular choice for dishes because of its high smoke point. It has a higher smoke point than other oils which makes it perfect for frying.
It also stands up to high temperatures and will help give your dish a crispy finish. Peanut oil should not be used in salad dressings unless you wish for a strong flavor. When using peanut oil look for refined peanut oil or try one of the alternatives above that are made from natural ingredients.
Bottom Line
The best peanut oil substitute for cooking is sesame oil. It is the best option because it has a neutral flavor profile and offers superior frying results.
If you want to cook with the best peanut oil alternative use grapeseed oil or canola oil. It will offer excellent results and can be used in salad dressings and recipes that call for absorption.